I have a bit of an issue with another part of your testimony. You implied—and I am not saying you did that intentionally, but that is my perception—that the absence of open bidding processes basically eliminates competition. It would appear that, when business is conducted with companies whose employees are unionized, competition among companies disappears.
Mr. McDonald, you are part of the business world. Are your employees unionized? Is the leverage that would enable your company to be more competitive than a unionized company due to the fact that the wages and social benefits provided to the employees are lower? I don't see how competition would make construction costs skyrocket. We are always being told—without being given concrete evidence—that costs increase by 40% when unionized companies are competing amongst themselves, compared with cases where unionized and non-unionized businesses are in competition. If you provide the same services, what could explain that difference, if not social benefits, paid leave, employees' wages, professional training and so on? A number of representatives have told us that they provide the same conditions and wages, and I believe you. So where does the difference arise from? Why would your company be more competitive?